Immigration Unit for Third Grade

Third grade does a huge immigration unit, usually toward the end of the school year. In collaborating with the teachers, I selected some books for read-alouds during the past few weeks. The first one, Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara, is not in my school collection but I read a review about it somewhere and was able to reserve it through the St. Louis County Library system. This is a wonderfully sweet book about a little girl, who in the midst of hardships in her native land of Ireland, is able to find the beauty in simple things. Her collection of special items, sewn into the hem of her dress is cherished by her family when they settle into their new home in America. Be sure to read the author's note at the end of the story for an interesting surprise about the genesis of this story.

Author: Elvira Woodruff -- Illustrator: Adam Rex

The second week I read two books. "She could have picked a chiming clock or a porcelain figurine, but Miss Bridie chose a shovel back in 1856". So begins the story Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel. We follow Miss Bridie as she leaves her home and family behind to travel to America. This not only is a story about immigration, but also about the usefulness of the shovel as it comes into play throughout Miss Bridie's life. Author: Leslie Connor -- Illustrator: Mary Azarian

Next up, Henry and the Kite Dragon, a Missouri "Show Me Book" nominee a few years ago. This story, a lesson in tolerance and understanding, takes place between two neighborhoods in New York : Chinatown and Little Italy. Written well, with stunning illustrations, the message is "there are always two sides to every story." Author: Bruce Edward Hall -- Illustrator: William Low

And, the third week, capping the unit off, students watched a "Reading Rainbow" episode from the Sea to Shining Sea: Stories of America DVD entitled "Watch the Stars Come Out." This is an inspirational episode, beginning with footage of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, through LaVar Burton's field trip up the scaffolding around the Statue of Liberty during it's restoration in the mid-1980s (look for the Twin Towers in the background), to an ethnic fair in New York city. Neil Diamond's "They're Coming to America" as the backdrop for the final footage in this episode was particularly moving to me. The students and their teachers really enjoyed this DVD.

Watch the Stars Come Out: author: Riki Levinson -- illustrator: Diane Goode

Sock Monkeys

Last week I read the picture book Sock Monkey Rides Again (Cece Bell) to Connie's second grade class. It was very silly and the kids liked it. This book led to a discuss by Connie and myself about the old sock monkey toys of our youth. Connie and I decided that it would be fun to have a "Make a Sock Monkey" party one evening after school. Hopefully other staff members will join us.

I found this site: http://www.sockcompany.com/index.html to have a good price on the red heel socks. Right now you can get two pair for $7.59. The direct site for these socks is: http://www.sockcompany.com/or1.html

Also, this site: http://www.ciaspalette.com/ has sock monkey fabric. Select "Novelties."

Come Back To

Trelease, Jim: The Read-Aloud Handbook, 2006-2007 edition

Read Alouds Favorites

I read cowboy-themed books to 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade classes today in preparation for our AR kick-off next week.

The fourth graders loved the book The Toughest Cowboy...great success

First and second graders thought Adventures of Cow Two was very funny and second graders really enjoyed Lasso Lou and Cowboy McCoy

Add these three books to book order.

Picture Books

Donaldson, Julia and Axel Scheffler, ill. - The Snail and the Whale - Donaldson is the author of The Gruffalo, one of my favorites. This one is cute too with the themes of adventure, teamwork, cooperation. Nice story.

Korchek, Lori and Marshall Taylor - Adventures of Cow Too by Cow - A very excited toy cow takes an adventurous trip to a grocery store. This begs to be read aloud as children discover that what the text says does not match the photograph: Cow is in the middle of pineapples in the produce section and the text reads: "Yum, bananas." There are other books in this series.

Beaumont, Karen; Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, ills. - Duck, Duck, Goose! (A Coyote's on the Loose!) - could be a pre-school, K read aloud choice with an additional book.